There is an old Chinese proverb: “A bird does not sing because it has an answer: it sings because it has a song.”
In this section, we invite our readers to infuse their daily life with a new song, specifically: a round. A round is a wonderful way of harmonizing with other singers without learning a separate melody line, or knowing much about music theory and improvisation. Rounds may be simple but they can also be extremely complex. For this first issue, we will begin with something simple enough that, when sung as a round with other singers, nevertheless sounds contrapuntal and is very satisfying to sing.
This is a four part round: each part is labelled, 1-4. If there are only two people singing, it is possible for the second singer to enter when the first is starting line 2, 3, or 4.
The text is sung in Latin:
(1) Gloria! Gloria!
(2) In excelsis Deo!
(3) Gloria! Gloria!
(4) Alleluia, Alleluia!